Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Selbu Modern, Malabrigo Sock Yarn and I might have bought some more yarn in Chicago...

Remember that post earlier this fall where I was all "omg I'm so busy blah blah"? Well now I'm looking back on that halcyon period and just WISHING that my life were as carefree as it had been back then. Because right now I am so overwhelmed with work that my family has basically had some variation of cereal and/or ramen noodles for dinner every night this week. Don't you wish you were my kid? Luckily I finished my new favorite hat before the onslaught...The SpecsPattern: Selbu Modern by Zeitgeist YarnsYarn: Shelridge Farms Ultra Soft in 'Brown' and 'Robin's Egg'Needles: Size 2.5 and 3 addi turbosTime: about a weekThis pattern has "obsession" written all over it. If you're a stranding newbie, the two colors are super manageable and the pattern is quite easy to handle. I seem to say that about every FO, don't I? The finished size fits my giant melon head, and the pattern looks, well, totally bitchin'. I am so happy to have used some yarn that I purchased last year at Stitches East from the nice Canadian Shelridge Farm booth. This yarn is deceptive--it looks quite ordinary in the hank but knit up it is at once ultra soft (heh) and quite sturdy. Go Canada!Many were interested in the Malabrigo sock yarn. Here is my review: it is everything you love about the regular Malabrigo (mind-bending colors + nice price point) plus an unexpected sturdiness and shimmery sheen à la Silk Garden Sock yarn (minus the caterpillar poo). So--big thumbs up! Pictured below are several repeats of an Embossed Leaves Sock:Nice, right?

One of the reasons I just love this conference in Chicago is because I get to see my pal Dolly who is one of the funnest people to pal around with. She is the total package of super smart, make-you-wet-your-pants hilarious and very kind. As a non-knitter she was good humored enough to accompany me to the new Loopy Yarns location AND helped me justify my purchase. Added bonus? These words: "You really didn't spend that much...". Yes, she is a gem. Below you see a portion of my booty, just some really predictable Malabrigo and Jitterbug.

That hat is gorgeous! I need to get some Shelridge, it looks so squishable! I got my first Malabrigo sock today - soft indeed! And I am planning to go to Chicago this weekend to hit some knit shops - thanks for the Loopy tip!

That hat is really stunning. Wow. I wish I didn't look so stupid in hats! Mmmmalabrigo. Mmmmm. That sock is gorgeous. I got side-tracked from my Malabrigo socks. But I started a Malabrigo cowl today, so it's all good. :) I want a friend like Dolly!!!

i am still cracking up at....don't you wish you were my kid. monday night we had yogurt with cereal on top, and i don't even have a "real" job. i am in love with your selbu modern. and those colors! so delicious. can't they just eat a hat one night?

I'm glad to hear the Malabrigo sock is enjoyable to knit. I just wound two of my three skeins last night (the third was being really temperamental, so I might have to wind it by hand). It is amazingly shiny for only being wool!

What I really want to know is what's the percentage of the total purchase of that 'portion' you've shown us...??? hmmm? (didn't spend that much indeed! hehe, yeah, it's not like you bought a new car or something...)

Your Selbu is lovely, mine would be knit already if it weren't for the 20 other things I'm working on... and I don't have a W2 job... you must knit in ALL your free time!

We had our first freezing rain/snow day, fun stuff these Minnesota winters, and to think, they only last 5-6 months...

LOL, we have a PaPa Johns account on line with the credit card number registered, so the impiety of my laziness is that I tell them to just go order a #2 off our favs list tonight at PAPAJOHNS.COM & they do - I don't even call the pizza guy anymore.Love the hat!

absolutely love your beret, nicely done!! (and thanks for the yarn enabling... I love finding out about yarns that are not available in shops but are great value and produced on a somewhat small scale!)

Gorgeous hat!! Really -- what beautiful work and fabulous colors. Thanks also for the review of the Malabrigo sock yarn. I figured it had to be wonderful, but hearing confirmation from an expert knitter only makes me need (want) it more.

Super-gorgeous hat. And WOW that purple sock. I have come to realize I have a thing for purple socks. Who knew? This one really has my number. It makes me want to do another pair of Embossed Leaves Right Now In Purple Malabrigo.